Reuters / Lucas Jackson
- The latest US jobs report is just one of several critical measurements watched by investors, politicians, and analysts to forecast the economy's future.
- While some metrics are published by government agencies, surveys from the Institute for Supply Management and the University of Michigan are also regarded as important indicators.
- Here are six of the most watched economic metrics, how frequently they're released, and what they measure.
- Visit the Markets Insider homepage for more stories.
A recent US employment report revealed a hiring slowdown in August and offered the latest look into how the nation's economy is handling the US-China trade war.
Government data is among the most reliable economic indicators, and previews how big-picture trends might affect everyday consumers. Other establishments like the Institute of Supply Management also provide high-quality statistics closely watched by investors, government officials, and economists.
Following these metrics can help discern whether the economic landscape is trending upward or heading toward a recession. Here are six of the most important measurements of the US economy, what they mean, and how often they're published.